When Earth Awakened, I Became a Sword Saintess

Chapter 157 : Urgent Retreat

157: Urgent Retreat

The last alien tribeswoman, under Jiang Xue's long whip and leg techniques, was severely wounded. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, she turned and began to flee.

Jiang Xue and several teachers and Source Martial Practitioners immediately gave chase.

But suddenly, a gray-black censer flew out from the depths of the ancient forest. It was the same treasure censer used by the alien tribesmen during their earlier attack. It turned out that the leading alien tribesman, after fleeing, had not gone far but had returned to provide support.

"This is bad!" Jiang Xue shouted urgently.

This time, the censer exploded directly in front of Jiang Xue and the others.

Boom!

Gray ash burst from the shattered censer. For a moment, the ancient forest in front was filled with Burning Ash.

Jiang Xue and the others could only hold their breath and quickly retreat.

By the time most of the Burning Ash had dissipated, the two alien tribesmen were gone without a trace.

Jiang Xue looked back. She saw that many of the Lingdu Source Martial Academy students and Source Martial Practitioners were injured, with many lying on the ground. They did not dare to pursue deeply.

"Students from the Medic Department, follow me immediately to treat the wounded. Everyone else, be on guard!"

Jiang Xue's Primordial Energy was greatly depleted, and she herself was lightly injured, but she couldn't care about that. She went to save the severely wounded first.

The surroundings were a mess.

But the uninjured Lingdu Source Martial Academy students spontaneously scattered to stand guard around the area. At this point, it was no longer about a trial or training. It didn't matter if you were a student, a teacher, or a Source Martial Practitioner guard. Everyone understood that it was a matter of life and death.

Of course, a few students, either from injuries or a mental breakdown, sat on the ground, unable to move, weeping helplessly.

Yuyin's hand, gripping her longsword, began to tremble slightly. This was the first time she had seen someone killed in front of her, and it was also the first time she had killed someone.

This was a completely different world from previous drills and competitions.

Perhaps a single wrong step, a single mistake, and the one to die would be herself. Under such immense pressure, many people would perform abnormally, becoming powerless or overly impulsive and violent, not even realizing they had suffered a fatal injury.

But Yuyin, for some reason, her body became feverishly hot. There was even a power within her that she herself couldn't understand, a power that surged because of the danger, the threat to her life, a power that was even a bit manic.

Yet her mind was, strangely, calm.

During her first real combat, when she swung her sword at the Gu Diao, she had been a bit too nervous. But this time, she was not at all. Decisive, fierce, and though a woman, her face showed not the slightest hint of emotion as she killed.

Perhaps, deep in her heart, she had instinctively felt the true danger to her life this time. Under such a threat, Yuyin had become even more decisive and more perceptive.

Yuyin stood guard outside, surveying her surroundings. The sky was overcast, and the ancient tree forest was deep and mysterious. She had a persistent sense of unease.

"Something's not right, there's a problem..."

"Yuyin..." At this moment, Senior Sister Lianyue also walked over.

"Senior Sister Lianyue, I have a bad premonition." Yuyin said, walking toward Jiang Xue. Lianyue and Hua Yuanjing followed.

Jiang Xue had just finished urgently treating the injuries of several students and Captain Wang, making them take pills. Captain Wang was severely injured, but fortunately, he was a Purple Domain Realm Source Martial Practitioner with a very strong body. Although he was in a critical condition, he could barely hold on.

Jiang Xue looked around, trembling slightly. The corpses of four alien tribesmen lay there, with blood flowing like a river.

But this battle had resulted in heavy casualties for the Lingdu Source Martial Academy trial team. A total of four students, two teachers, one fourth-year graduate, and two Source Martial Practitioners had been killed. Dozens were injured. The minor injuries that weren't a big deal were not even counted.

This had already far exceeded the acceptable casualties for a trial.

At this moment, Yuyin walked over and asked with a heavy gaze, "Teacher Jiang Xue, five or six Purple Domain Realm powerhouses from the alien tribes, such dangerous enemies, why would they appear here?"

"That's right, Teacher Jiang, didn't the academy say this trial was relatively safe? In the face of Purple Domain powerhouses, what safety do we have?" A third-year male student with blood flowing from his head was on the verge of a breakdown. His lover was severely injured, yet he had been powerless to protect her just now.

Faced with such accusations, Jiang Xue had no way to defend herself. If she could make up for everything, she would willingly pay everything she could.

She looked at Yuyin, feeling a sliver of strength in her heart. If it weren't for Yuyin single-handedly killing three Purple Domain powerhouses, the consequences of this battle might have been unimaginable! Whether even half of them could have survived was unknown.

This was the severely injured Captain Wang, leaning weakly in the arms of the female Source Martial Practitioner, who said, "The alien tribesmen rarely enter within a hundred kilometers of the Two Realms Gate, let alone fifty. If we had known it was like this, even if it were a national commission, we wouldn't have taken it. Young lady... for all of us to have survived, we have you to thank, and the two behind you. I am ashamed... Four alien tribesmen were killed, but it was you three young students who accomplished it."

"Captain Wang, this is not the time for such talk." Yuyin stepped forward and asked directly, "If that's the case, why did those alien tribesmen appear? Was it just a coincidence?"

"Around the Two Realms Gate, there are many human Source Martial Practitioners, and often Grandmasters stationed here or passing through. These alien tribesmen and alien beasts also fear our strong ones and don't dare to approach casually." In Captain Wang's blood-filled eyes, a dangerous glint appeared. "There is only one possibility: the alien tribesmen or a herd of alien beasts are planning a large-scale attack on the Two Realms Gate."

"What?" Chen Siguo, his arm in a sling, stepped forward in shock. "Although fierce herds of alien beasts often invade, it's been two years since the alien tribesmen have attacked the Lingdu Two Realms Gate!"

"The alien tribes will not give up on attacking this place because of that." The female Source Martial Practitioner supporting Captain Wang, Zhou Na, said coldly.

"Teacher Jiang, those alien tribesmen had unified attire and similar fighting styles. Could there be more companions nearby? You have to know that two alien tribesmen escaped. Our location has been exposed." Yuyin finally understood her unease. If the Lingdu Source Martial Academy dared to bring so many students here for a trial, there must be a considerable safety guarantee. Yet they happened to run into a group of alien people who rarely entered this area? Was it that much of a coincidence?

Or had these alien people already invaded this area in large numbers?

Jiang Xue looked at Yuyin. She suddenly trembled all over. "We must retreat immediately!"

She looked at the teachers and students, "Fellow students, the current situation has far exceeded the scope of a trial. If we stay here, there may be even greater danger. The trial is over. We are retreating to the Two Realms Gate immediately!"

Once she realized the potential for greater danger, Jiang Xue did not hesitate for a moment and immediately ordered a full retreat. Many of the wounded were helped up by their classmates. Everyone got to their feet.

"The Rear Team will become the Front Team. Teacher Zhang and Vice-Captain Zhou Na will lead the way. Everyone, retreat immediately! Be quick!" Jiang Xue urged urgently.

"Yuyin, return to your team." Jiang Xue ordered Yuyin with a hint of sternness. Of course, she knew that Yuyin was now the strongest fighter in the entire group. But Yuyin was only a first-year, yet she possessed such astonishing strength. Her future potential was still immense. Jiang Xue had to protect all the students, and a genius like Yuyin, she had to get her back safely.

The tragedy of Lan Lingfeng must not happen again!